The paddles chunked in the muddy water as the steamer slipped out of the long mouth of the Thames into the sea. Allhallows lay hazy off to starboard. A crowded parade of ships came and went around them, some on short sail slipping in for London town and others letting canvas out making for the North Sea or the Channel. The steamer veered south of the most crowded section of the route. It wasn’t a surprise to Malcolm that Gaios wanted to remain undisturbed. What was surprising was that more people hadn’t seen the island. A new landmass of any size off the coast was both a curiosity and a hazard. Or perhaps it had been visited, and those that had dared never returned.
After steaming for an hour, the captain signaled to slow. From out of the dark waters jutted a cruel stone. Then more around it, each of them capable of tearing a ship apart with but a gentle tap. The slowly revolving paddles were just keeping headway as the boat steamed into the forest of dragon’s teeth.
Malcolm nudged his pistol barrel against the man’s spine. “If we go down, you won’t live to die a watery death.”
The captain continued to watch nervously ahead. “I’ve no mind to die for the likes of him.”
At the bow, Penny stood guard over the mate who peered into the hazy sea and signaled directions back to the helm. The motions were practiced from many passages through these hazards, but hardly routine. The mate kept a long pole handy to shove off from rocks that drew too close. Perspiration covered his face as the huge obsidian knives inched past the rail with the sound of water lapping on the glassy black stones.
After a long silent journey, the deadly stones dropped astern and a small island loomed ahead. Malcolm estimated it was five miles across. There was a narrow strip of stony black shore, then the entire island was lush and green. Even more peculiar, it appeared to be covered in tropical jungle. The air was remarkably warm and dense with moisture. Malcolm removed his heavy coat and laid it aside. He eyed the landscape for sentries as the steamer churned toward a wooden dock. When the boat came alongside the jetty, the mate tied off the spring line with one wary eye on Penny. Once the boat was made fast, Malcolm sent the captain and the mate below with Penny to be secured with the survivors.
Penny and the girls returned on deck. Charlotte was up on her toes in her excitement, peering into the dark foliage, probably seeing far more than he could. Imogen stood beside her, quiet and seemingly serene. The quills on her bare arm whipped back and forth in the wind. Her pale, featureless face waited patiently.
Malcolm laid a hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. She looked up at him, full of eagerness. But her face fell before he could say, “Charlotte, I need you and Imogen to stay with the boat.”
“But they’re tied up. They won’t be going anywhere.” Her voice held only frustration. “Please let me come with you! I’ll be good. I swear. I’ll only do what you tell me to do!”
“I know you will. That’s why I’m leaving this in your hands.” He knelt beside her. “This boat is our only way home. Do you understand? Without it, we will be trapped here with Gaios. I am leaving it in both your hands.” He took in Imogen with his stern gaze.
Imogen straightened, realizing what he was asking was no small matter. “You can count on us.”
Charlotte huffed a resigned sigh and nodded. “You just better come back for us.”
Malcolm rose to his feet and motioned to Penny. They left the boat with the eyes of the two girls following them as they crossed the stony shore into a narrow gap in the foreboding thicket. The sky darkened when they entered. Everything smelled of dank earth and rotting vegetation. Cut off from the sea breeze, the air warmed quickly and soon both of them were perspiring.
“Holy God,” Penny hissed, a hand over her damp brow. “Did we cross the Equator?”
Malcolm knelt and put his hand down on the ground. “It feels hot. How is that even possible?”
“Here’s how.”
Penny found herself at the edge of a small fissure deep into the crust of the island. Red lava glowed in the dark below.
“A bloody volcano.” Malcolm came up next to her.
“Cor.” Penny was silent a moment, but then admitted, “I’m glad Simon has his powers back.”
“I’m not sure even he could stop a volcano if Gaios chooses to make London the new Pompeii.”
“He’ll try though.”
“Yes, he will.”